Usuyuki: The Kogo Scene (Usuyuki Kogo no dan), from the series "Famous Scenes from Japanese Puppet Plays (Yamato irotake)"
c. 1705/06
Medium
Woodblock print; oban, sumizuri-e
Dimensions
27.4 × 39.2 cm (10 13/16 × 15 7/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
19615
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of early 18th-century Japan with *Usuyuki: The Kogo SceneUsuyuki Kogo no dan)*, a captivating woodblock print by Okura Masanobu (6–1764). around 1705–06, this work is part of the series *Famous Scenes from Japanese Puppet Plays (Yamato irotake)*, which immortalizes dramatic moments from *joruri*—traditional puppet theater that enthralled Edo audiences with tales of love, tragedy, and heroism. Here, the poignant "Kogo" scene from the story of Usuyuki unfolds, showcasing Masanobu's skill in capturing theatrical intensity. Printed in the *sumizuri-e* style—a sophistic...
About the Artist
Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764
Japanese, 1686–1764